Eloise's purposeful stride echoed through the hushed corridors as she made her way towards Penelope's guest chambers. Dread fluttered in her belly - if Penelope yet languished from the lingering effects of her fall, her brother, the Viscount Anthony Bridgerton would be utterly braced.

She knocked twice and called for her friend's name, but there was no response. Growing more worried, she softly opened the door, expecting to find Penelope resting. Instead, she was met with an empty bed. Her heart raced, knowing that Anthony would be furious if he learned his betrothed wasn't resting as promised.

Closing the door behind her, Eloise quickly considered where Penelope Featherington might be. She hadn't crossed paths with her friend on her way upstairs, which meant Penelope couldn't be heading to the dining hall. Suddenly, a thought struck Eloise - perhaps Penelope, disoriented by her headache, had gone to her room by mistake.

Eloise hurried to her own chambers, hoping her hunch was correct. When she opened the door, she sighed with relief upon seeing the redhead. But her relief was short-lived; worry quickly painted her features as she saw Penelope slumped on the floor, pale and in obvious pain, with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Pen!" Eloise exclaimed, rushing to her side. "Are you alright? What happened?"

Penelope Featherington did not answer the brunette immediately. She stared at Eloise, her eyes filled with a cold, accusatory look that sent a shiver down Eloise's spine. Eloise's worry deepened, her mind racing to understand what had caused Penelope to be in such state. A simple headache couldn't have done this.

Eloise then noticed the crumpled parchment in Penelope's hands, along with scattered copies of Lady Whistledown's issues on the floor and on her writing desk. Realization dawned on her – Penelope had been reading them.

Eloise remembered what Colin had said at the dining table about crossing paths with Penelope. Had Colin mentioned something about the past that prompted the redhead to investigate Whistledown's pamphlets? Was Penelope trying to piece together her relationship with Colin through the gossip columns?

As these questions swirled in Eloise's mind, she tried to think of comforting words to say, an excuse to explain whatever Colin might have said. But then, her eyes fell on the handwritten parchment in Penelope's hands – a draft for the column, penned by Eloise herself.

The brunette's calmness drained away, replaced by a growing sense of dread. Penelope's voice cut through the silence, icy and sharp. "What is the meaning of this?" She demanded, holding up the handwritten draft. "Are you trying to become Lady Whistledown?"

Eloise stuttered, her fears multiplying. "Penelope, I–"

Penelope's anger spilled over, her voice shaking. "After you condemn me for being Lady Whistledown? After you said such harsh words to me? After breaking off our friendship despite my explanations that I wrote about you and Theo, only to protect you from the Queen? And now you try to usurp my nom de plume?"

Eloise Bridgerton's world collapsed as she realized the full extent of what was happening. Penelope's memories had returned, and with them, all the pain and betrayal she felt. Eloise could see it in her cerulean eyes, feel it in her words. She was facing Penelope's wrath, a retribution she wasn't prepared for.

"Penelope, please.." Eloise began, her voice trembling. "I never meant to–"

"You never meant to what?" Penelope cut her off. "To abandon me? To betray me? You called me a hypocrite, a liar, and yet here you are, doing exactly what you condemned me for."

Eloise's eyes filled with tears. "I was wrong, Pen. I was so wrong! I was angry, and I didn't understand... Please, forgive me..."

Penelope's expression remained angry and her eyes remained cold. "Forgiveness? Eloise, you broke my heart with your close-mindedness and stubbornness. Your words hurt me, you did not even try to understand and hear me out. You tore our friendship apart that instant like it doesn't mean anything at all! Do you really think it's that easy?"

Eloise reached out, her hand trembling. "Pen, I will do anything to make it right. Please, give me a chance. I cannot lose you once again. I love you, and your friendship means the world to me! Please, give me a chance."

"Pen, please..." Eloise begged, tears streaming down her face. "You must allow me to explain, to apologize properly."

Penelope glared at her, her expression as cold as the winter winds howling in the coldest part of the world. "What possible explanation could you offer that would excuse this Whistledown draft? And how you turned on me that night?"

"I... I know now why you printed about Theo and me in your papers.." Eloise started. "You were protecting me, just as you had been protecting Daphne from Berbrooke.. Colin from Marina's lie, and the other ladies of the ton all those years by omitting certain indiscretions."

Penelope's eyes narrowed. "How magnanimous of you to finally realize that, after you so quickly cast me aside at my mama's ball."

"I was foolish and immature!" Eloise admitted, wringing her hands. "I should have given you a chance to explain yourself instead of believing the worst. You were my dearest friend and I let my hurt feelings blind me to your reasons."

"Your hurtful words cut deeper than any knife." Penelope said icily. "The looks of your judgment and disdain - and Colin's mocking laughter in front of his friends. I have never left so humiliated in all my life."

Eloise flinched as if struck. Sure, she had read what her brother has done and had felt angry at him too. "I cannot begin to make amends for the pain I and my brother had caused you that night.. But I beg you Pen.. from the bottom of my heart, to please forgive me."

Penelope was silent for a moment, her face an impenetrable mask. Then she abruptly stood, letting the parchment in her hands flutter to Eloise's lap. "I find I cannot remain in your company a moment longer."

"No, Penelope, wait!" Eloise scrambled to her feet as her friend turned to leave. "Where will you go?"

"I do not rightly know why I am here.. Though it seems to me I must be at Aubrey Hall." Penelope said, not meeting Eloise's frantic gaze. "But I must take my leave. There is no reason for me to linger here any longer."

"But you cannot go!" Eloise cried desperately. "What about my brother Colin? Surely, he would like to apologize."

A muscle ticked in Penelope's jaw. "I have no desire to lay eyes on Colin Bridgerton again after his cruel behavior."

"What about mama's birthday celebration then?" Eloise grasped at straws, knowing Penelope's deep admiration and respect for Violet. "Surely you would not leave before marking such a joyous occasion?"

However, Penelope's resolve was unmoved. "Extend her my warmest regards, but no.. I cannot bear to be in the presence of your family any longer. Not after everything."

"But Penelope –"

"No!" Penelope said with finality. "I am returning to London straightaway. It is up to you how to break this news to your family. You owe me that much at least."

Eloise's face crumpled in despair as Penelope swept from the room without a backwards glance. How could she possibly explain this to Anthony and the others? Panic rose in her throat as a terrible thought struck her.

"Pen, wait!" She called, running after her friend. She caught up to her in the front hall. "What of your engagement to Anthony? Surely you remember that after regaining your memories?"

Penelope froze, her back stiffening. She turned slowly, brow furrowed in confusion. "R-Regaining memories? Whatever do you mean? And engagement? To Lord Bridgerton?" She shook her head as if to clear it. "I.. do not recall any such thing."

The words were a blow to Eloise's stomach. "But you must! After your accident, when your memories were gone.. You and Anthony fell in love and became betrothed!"

Penelope Featherington's eyes widened in shock, then her face contorted in pain as she pressed a hand to her temple. "I.. I cannot..." She swayed dizzily.

"Penelope?" Eloise moved towards her in concern.

But Penelope stepped back, shaking her head forcefully. "Then that is all the more reason I must leave this place at once. I wish you and your family well.. But I cannot remain here a moment longer."

Eloise felt her strength drain away, watching helplessly as Penelope turned and walked away. "Penelope, please..."

Eloise stood there, feeling a profound sense of loss and helplessness. How could she possibly face Anthony and the rest of her family now that Penelope's memories had returned - with no recollection of the love she had found with her brother? The weight of this responsibility felt overwhelming, and for a moment, her mind went blank, unable to comprehend the full extent of what had just transpired.

—-

Back at the dining hall

Anthony Bridgerton's unease was palpable as he turned to his third brother, Colin, and asked. "What exactly transpired during your encounter with Penelope earlier today?"

The room was thick with tension. Violet and Benedict exchanged worried glances, aware of the brewing storm between their eldest and third brother.

Colin, rather than addressing the Viscount's inquiry, posed a question of his own. "Anthony, what are your real intentions towards Pen? I still could not find reason why you two would be engaged."

Anthony's jaw tightened, and his eyes flashed with a mixture of anger and frustration. He knew Colin's words stemmed from genuine concern, but they cut deeply nonetheless.

Colin pressed on, his voice rising with emotion. "Did you compromise her? Is that why you're marrying her?"

Gasps echoed around the room. Violet's voice rang out, sharp and clear. "Colin Bridgerton!" She shot him a reprimanding look, while Benedict added sternly. "That question is uncalled for, brother."

Violet, not wanting the younger children to witness the escalating confrontation, turned to Francesca. "Fran, please take Greg and Hy out of the room."

With the younger children gone, Anthony's anger boiled over. "Penelope's honor has never been in question." He said through gritted teeth. Yes, he and Penelope had shared kisses and embraces when they became engaged, but that was the length of it. Though he immensely desire to take Penelope, Anthony never compromised her virtue as he truly respects her. "I'm marrying her because I love her, not out of duty or obligation. If anyone has compromised her honor, it's you, Colin, with the cruel and thoughtless things you said about her at her mama's ball."

Colin's face turned red with shame and regret. "I've been trying to apologize for that. I did so earlier today when I saw her."

The expressions of Violet, Benedict and Anthony shifted from anger to deep concern. They exchanged worried glances, realizing the potential ramifications of Colin's actions.

Anthony's voice grew louder, laced with anxiety. "What?! What exactly did you say to her, Colin?"

Colin, sensing the gravity of the situation but still confused, repeated. "I apologized for what I said about her to Fife and his friends. I asked for her forgiveness."

Anthony pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to rein in his temper. He stood up abruptly, his fist clenching at his side. Benedict quickly followed, placing a calming hand on the Viscount's shoulder, trying to put himself in the middle of Colin and Anthony so as to stand in between when the conversation becomes violent.

"Colin, dearest, you don't understand." Violet said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. "Penelope lost her memories after the accident. She doesn't remember what happened between you two."

Colin's confusion deepened. "What? I didn't know. I thought apologizing was the right thing to do."

Anthony's tone was strained as he spoke. "Your apology, well-intentioned as it was, must have only confused her. She doesn't remember the events that led her to leave London. Pen doesn't have an idea why you would be apologizing."

Violet added gently. "Penelope's mind is fragile right now. She's still trying to piece together her past. Being confronted with an apology for something she doesn't remember could trigger confusion and emotional turmoil for the poor girl."

Colin's face paled as realization dawned on him. "I.. I didn't know. I'm so sorry. What am I to do?"

Anthony, with a fire burning in his eyes, turned to gaze at his younger brother. "If Penelope is distressed because of your idiocy, I'll tan your hide until next week!"

"Anthony!" Violet chided sharply, ever the disciplinarian when her sons' tempers flared. She held up a hand as Benedict made to intervene physically. "That is quite enough from the both of you."

She pierced them with a stern look. "We must handle this latest development with care and discretion. Penelope's welfare must be our top priority."

Colin looked appropriately chastened. "You are right, mother. I shall make every effort to avoid upsetting or confusing Pen further."

Anthony simply gave a terse nod, his arms crossed tightly as he attempted to rein in his fury toward his younger brother's thoughtlessness.

Violet sighed. Keeping her family in line was never an easy task. But with the situation so tenuous regarding Penelope's memories, it was even more crucial they maintain calm, level heads. For all their sakes.